The tritium plume pump-and-recharge system continues to operate as expected, extracting 120 gallons per minute of tritiated groundwater downgradient of the High Flux Beam Reactor.
Recent sampling has confirmed that water being discharged into the recharge basin contains tritium concentrations of less than 2,000 picocuries/liter (pCi/L), one-tenth the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's drinking water standard of 20,000 pCi/L.
During processing, volatile organic compounds also found in groundwater in the area of the extraction wells are being removed by a carbon filtration system, and no trace of these contaminants has been detected in the water following treatment.
In addition, an aquifer pumping test conducted from May 7-9, 1997 has confirmed that the higher concentrations of tritium close to the HFBR are not being influenced by the pumping system.
In response to a request from the Suffolk County Department of Health
Services, air monitors will be installed in the area of the recharge basin
to check tritium evaporation levels.